Music festival set for Saturday
The 12th annual New London Music Festival opens at noon Saturday at Neer Park in New London.
Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the gate; $25 per family. Children under 15 are admitted free with a paid adult. Advance tickets are available at Country Stop, Heritage Falls Market, Latte Da Espresso and Mill Pond Mercantile in New London; Spicer's Bike and Sport Shop; Deidre's in Spicer and Willmar, and Gilday's in Willmar.
Food will be available on the grounds.
The musical line-up begins at noon, with the final groups starting at 5 p.m. Biographical information on the groups is listed as follows:
Don and Shelby at noon
Kandiyohi County's own Don Lattimer and Shelby Kingman have been together for about six years and specialize in country, bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music. Before getting together they performed with bands throughout Minnesota, the Dakotas and Wisconsin. Both skillfully play guitar and mandolin; Don adds the fiddle.
The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra at 1 p.m.
It's country. It's rock. It's jazz. It's bug-eyed bluegrass from Zeta Reticuli. It's swing. It's interstellar folk music. Based in the Twin Cities, whatever it sounds like to earthlings, there is no mistaking their virtuoso strains and star trekking fun. Dan Neale on guitar, Lisi Wright on fiddle, John Wright on bass and Mark O'Day on percussion.
The Hot Dishes at 2 p.m.
This jazzy vocal quartet from Alexandria performs old standards from the '30s, '40s, and '60s, sung with snazzy four-part harmonies. Think Andrews Sisters, Manhattan Transfer, and the Supremes. Throw in a little shtick to keep you on your toes while you are toe-tappin' -- and you've got some entertainment. Dedra Zwieg, Mary Lou Thunselle, Miriam Thornquist, Stephanie Osterberg -- they're hot and can dish it out.
Davina and the Vagabonds at 3 p.m.
Davina, with her astounding vocal power, and The Vagabonds are based out of the Twin Cities and play hot jazz-blues-cabaret-soul-lounge-rock that warms the soul and just plain makes ya wanna dance. Davina Sowers on piano and vocals; Michael Carvale on string bass and vocals, Richard Medek on drums, Zack Lozier on trumpet and vocals, Mr. Hypothetical Bone on trombone and vocals.
Lehto and Wright at 4 p.m.
These two captivating musicians/vocalists from the Twin Cities, return to New London's Music Festival to perform selections from their first five critically-acclaimed releases, in addition to material from their latest all-instrumental album.
The Strollers at 5 p.m.
After captivating the audience last year, New Londoner's welcome them back. From Minnesota's western prairies, singer/songwriter Jerry Ostensoe, the "Lawrence Welk of the Blues" teams up with Pistol Pete on harmonica and sax, Richard Handeen on standup bass, and Brad Fernholtz on percussion with special guest vocalist, gypsy accordianista Malena Handeen.
